Submission to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust) Review

By admin | Published: February 12, 2020

Submission to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust) Review being held 18 February, 6pm to 8pm at the Sydney Masonic Conference & Function Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney.    

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Have your Say on the Proposed Changes to Woolwich and Huntleys Point Ferry Routes

By admin | Published: February 7, 2020

As you will no doubt be aware there are major changes proposed for the above routes which will have an adverse effect on the suburb’s commuters in terms of lengthened journeys and will mean considerable inconvenience particularly for the elderly and those travelling with children or luggage.

Transport for NSW and Sydney Ferries operator Transdev are currently consulting with communities along the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour to review the frequency and routes of the F3 and F8 ferry services from Woolwich and Huntleys Point and many residents have already communicated with Transdev. There is currently a petition with over 800 signatures. 

The changes are as follows:

Woolwich Ferry (F8)
Woolwich, Greenwich Point and Birchgrove – to and from Barangaroo. The ferry will no longer stop at Balmain wharf or provide direct travel to Circular Quay. Change at Barangaroo “for other enhanced ferry services, including the F4 City Connector”

Huntleys Point Ferry (F3)
Abbotsford to Barangaroo – all stops including Cockatoo Island, Balmain and Balmain East. This route will increase the current commute time. Change at Balmain East to continue to Circular Quay

While it is recognised that there are problems of overcrowding at Circular Quay and that some travellers will benefit from embarking at Barangaroo the following solutions must also be considered:

  1. Create more space for ferries at Circular Quay by transferring commercial boat operators to Barangaroo
  2. Use the Opera side of Circular Quay for ferries
  3. Allow the F3 and F8 ferry routes to call at Barangaroo BUT to then continue on to Circular Quay.

There are several opportunities for you to provide feedback but time is running out and this must be received by Friday 14th February 

  1. Access the Transdev site which will provide you with further information on what is being proposed. Feedback and suggestions are invited here: https://yoursay.transdev.com.au/2021-proposed-service-changes
  2. Attend the community meeting being held by Hunters Hill Council with TRANSDEV on Thursday 13 February 6-7pm at Hunters Hill Town Hall. There will be an opportunity to sign a petition prior to the meeting.

Further information via this link https://huntershill.com.au/events/community-meeting-drastic-ferry-timetable-changes-proposal/

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Hunters Hill Trust Journal, December 2019

By admin | Published: January 15, 2020

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 57, No 2, December 2019 is available here.

This edition includes:

  • From the President’s Desk – Alister Sharp
    • The updated ‘Green Book’
    • New Plans of Management
    • An update on the Plan of Management
  • DA Updates
    • 1 & 3 Ryde Road
    • The Lost & Found Department – 39 Alexandria St
    • The Sorry Saga of ‘Windemere’ – 25 Ernest St
  • Every picture tells a story
  • Christmas Party & Book Launch
  • “St Malo Trees for Mousetraps”

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“The Heritage of Hunters Hill” is here!

By admin | Published: January 12, 2020

Following on from the launch at the Hunters Hill Trust Christmas party “The Heritage of Hunters Hill” book is now available. It has been printed in full colour and features almost 500 homes. 

Price $55 each

Available from the following local outlets:

Hunters Hill Post Office, 32 Alexandra Street

Hunters Hill Museum, 22 Alexandra Street

The Lost & Found Department, 39 Alexandra Street (opposite Garibaldi Inn)

or email 

members@huntershilltrust.org.au

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Christmas Party & ‘The Heritage of Hunters Hill’ Book Launch

By admin | Published: November 19, 2019

Our Christmas Party this year will be held on Thursday 28 November at the RSL Hall, corner Ady and Alexandra Streets from 6.30pm.  As usual there’ll be good food, good company and musical entertainment.

At the party we will be launching the print edition of our updated publication ‘The  Heritage of Hunters Hill’ and below is a ‘sneak peek’.  The book now features almost 500 homes in our lovely suburb, and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to bring it up to date with many new photos and the inclusion of some fine examples of houses up to the 1930s.

The publication has been printed in colour and will retail will retail at $55 but there will be a 10% discount on the night!

We’d love you to join us for this celebration and please RSVP to members@huntershilltrust.org.au asap.  Payment can either be made by bank transfer to: CBA Bank, BSB: 062000, Acct No: 16211909, Acct Name: Hunters Hill Trust (please identify yourself on your payment) or by cheque to Hunters Hill Trust, PO Box 85, Hunters Hill 2110.  


Do come along and celebrate this milestone with us!

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Historical Walk – Greenwich Foreshore

By admin | Published: August 7, 2019

Fabulous sunshine greeted us on Sunday for our July walk around the Greenwich foreshore.  A large and enthusiastic group took the short ferry ride across the water and within minutes were admiring the views of the picturesque and well-kept Greenwich Baths, opened in 1916.  The route took us past beautiful heritage homes with amazing vistas from every point.  The many mature Moreton Bay fig trees and leafy areas of Manns Point Park were particularly impressive. 

We then tackled the steep climb up the sandstone steps to the lookout and were rewarded with stunning 180 degree views of the Harbour Bridge on one side and Cockatoo Island on the other.  Another interesting and enjoyable walk around an area unfamiliar to some of our members and many thanks to our guide, Len Dowsett.

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St Peter Chanel Church – Development Update

By admin | Published: June 9, 2019

A Win for Heritage in the Land and Environment Court!

Following the formal onsite meeting of the Land and Environment Court (LEC) on 28 May, the Hunters Hill Trust is pleased to report that the LEC has refused the DA but encourages members to maintain a watching brief in case the decision is appealed. Council’s solicitors wrote to residents setting out the reasons for the judgement as follows:

The Commissioner’s ‘reasons for refusal chiefly related to the proposal’s detrimental impact on the heritage significance of the site, including impacting on views to and from the Church, the impact on the setting and curtilage of the Church as well as the uncertainty regarding contamination of the site.’

The Trust supported Hunters Hill Council in believing the sub-division would have been entirely unsuitable for the site. Apart from detracting from the character of the Church’s setting within the heritage of Crescent Street and compromising a significant landmark visible from the water, the location would have been difficult to build on and would have resulted in the destruction of the sandstone rock shelf and mature trees.

We congratulate all residents and objectors who presented such a strong case and stood up in defence of heritage.

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St Joseph’s College Historical Tour – June 2019

By admin | Published: June 9, 2019

This month’s walk was a tour of St Joseph’s College historical precinct led by Richard Quinn, former mayor of Hunters Hill and our knowledgeable guide, and was enjoyed by our biggest group ever!

36 people attended the tour, which commenced with the history of the Marist Brothers in Australia and the purchase of the entrance gates from Sydney Town Hall. The extensive route took us through the historic buildings dating from 1878 with their carefully restored rooms displaying the history of the school, including artworks and statues. 


So many highlights – particular call-outs were the wonderful chapel and the Cupola. The Chapel, opened in 1940, was recently restored and contains a magnificent plaster ceiling surrounded by an extensive collection of stained glass windows.  We were treated to an impromptu organ recital by our guide on the historic pipe organ which also has its own wonderful restoration story.

Onwards and upwards to the Cupola – 100 or so steps up a winding staircase to the roof revealed magnificent 360 degree views of the district.  The Cupola, with its landmark statue of Our Lady clearly visible throughout the suburb, was added in 1904. 

A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting tour of this important and significant part of our suburb’s history and one which we hope to repeat for the many who missed out this time round.

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Hunters Hill Trust Journal, June 2019

By admin | Published: June 1, 2019

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 57, No 1, June 2019 is available here.

This edition includes:

  • From the President’s Desk – Alister Sharp
    • AGM Report
    • Membership
    • Interaction with Council
    • Walks & Events 2018 -2019
  • How Our Garden Suburb is Changing
  • The Farm Attendant’s Cottage – Waruda
  • DA Updates
    • New Sports Complex St Joseph’s College
    • St Peter Chanel
    • 1 & 3 Ryde Road
  • Dismantling of the Office of Environment and Heritage
  • Heritage-Listed Boronia Park
  • Green Book Update
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Inclusive playground in Boronia Park: CAUTION

By admin | Published: April 28, 2019

The Weekly Times (10 April) reports that Council’s plans for an ‘all ability, inclusive’ playground are progressing, with funding of $250,000 already secured. When this project was proposed the Trust expressed concern that:

  • the playground needs to be compatible with the Plan of Management for Boronia Park
  • this type of playground needs a higher level of maintenance than standard Council playgrounds, so Council will need to plan for a maintenance budget. (Livvy’s Place playgrounds in Ryde and Five Dock show why this will be needed).

The Trust is part of Council’s Community Advisory Group that influences the Boronia Park’s Plan of Management. The Trust has been actively involved in developing the Boronia Park Plan of Management and remains committed to protecting, conserving and enhancing our heritage-listed site.

Green space is so precious, especially with the massive developments happening around us.

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